Mauricio Pochettino to make this transfer decision to 21-year-old outcast – opinion

Tottenham lodged a bid to Napoli for Amadou Diawara days ago, according to Rai Sport (h/t Calciomercato), but saw their alleged offer rejected. However, it’s worth questioning if there’s any trust to the story given the 21-year-old outcast is one of many midfielders that Tottenham have been linked with recently.

It isn’t a secret that Mauricio Pochettino may need a new central midfielder for 2019/20 as Mousa Dembele could be on his way out of the club next summer, but the links to Diawara look spurious. Tottenham have been linked with the likes of Wilmar Barrios, Hector Herrera, Miguel Almiron and Nicolo Barella, so which player is actually on their radar?

Diawara could be on the move to Napoli, as he’s struggled for playing time this season and wants to exit the Stadio San Paolo in pursuit of minutes. But Tottenham aren’t short of players in the middle of the park this season – Moussa Sissoko, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele, Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama – so Pochettino may wait before eyeing up a recruit.

Rai Sport’s report that a bid has been lodged means Diawara would join Tottenham in January, giving Pochettino a real selection headache in midfield. Progress on a Mousa Dembele replacement isn’t likely to be made until later in the season when Dembele’s future is better determined.